Football Season Guide

It is an end of an era for Exeter City following the departure of manager Paul Tisdale after almost 12 years in charge. Tisdale was served with a two-year notice period in November 2016, following a vote of members of the Supporters Trust, who own the club. The club board offered Tisdale a new and improved contract in the months that followed but he opted to leave at the end of May following a 3-1 defeat to Coventry City in the League Two play-off final at Wembley. It is a second successive season which has ended in defeat at Wembley and the Grecians acted immediately by appointing former defender Matt Taylor as Tisdale’s successor on an undisclosed deal. Taylor played under Tisdale during their most successful spell as they enjoyed back-to-back promotions. Taylor might have hoped to keep hold of teenage defender Jordan Storey, who enjoyed a breakthrough season, but has signed for Preston North End for undisclosed fee. The departures of defender Jordan Moore-Taylor and midfielder Ryan Harley will also come as a blow although Taylor has acted quickly in bringing in centre-back Aaron Martin from Oxford United. Midfielder Nicky Law brings plenty of experience with him after signing from Bradford City whilst striker Jonathan Forte has joined from Notts County. Forte’s pace will come in handy as he looks to create a dangerous partnership with last season’s leading goalscorer and player of the season Jayden Stockley. Taylor will also be pleased to have inherited the likes of midfield playmaker Hiram Boateng and a number of talented youngsters, which includes midfielder Jack Sparkes, who will be hoping to break into the first team. Given the length of Tisdale’s tenure this is likely to be a season of transition at St James Park but there is plenty of hope as they begin a new era.